Modular crash cushion

ABSTRACT

A modular crash cushion is disclosed for a rigid roadside obstacle located on or beside a highway and having a contact surface facing the vehicular traffic. The modular crash cushion has a first line of drums extending forward from one side of the contact surface and a second line of drums extending forward from the other side of the contact surface and adjacent the first line of drums. Connector means connect together either adjacent drums in the first line of drums and in the second line of drums or adjacent drums in one line of the first line of drums and the second line of drums. The first line of drums and the second line of drums are connected at one end to the rigid roadside obstacle. Skid means are between the first line of drums and the highway and the second line of drums and the highway to permit the other end of the first line of drums and the second line of drums to move on impact between a vehicle and the modular crash cushion. The connector means is also a part of this invention.

nite States Patent 1191 oedecker, Jr. et a1. [45] N 5, 1974 [54] MODULARCRASH CUSHION 3,672,657 6/1972 Young et a1. 256 1 inventors: Kenneth JBoedecker, J Jupiter 3,674,115 7/1972 Young et a1. 256/1 lsland, F1a.;Charles I. Gibson, Lebanon Township Allegheny Pr1mary Exammer-James R.Boler County Assistant ExaminerConrad L. Berman Attorney, Agent, orFirm-Robert J. Leek. Jr. [73] Ass1gnee: United States Steel Corporation,

Pittsburgh, Pa. 5 [22] Filed: July 16, 1973 7] ABSTSIVCT I A modularcrash cushion is d1sclosed for a r1gid road- PP 3791688 side obstaclelocated on or beside a highway and hav- Related Application Data ing acontact surface facing the vehicular traffic. The [63] continuatiommpmof Ser No 364192 May 25 modular crash cushion has a first lme of drumsex- 1973 abandoned continuaiion 203 tending forward from one side of thecontact surface Dec], 1971, abandoned. and a second line of drumsextending forward from the other side of the contact surface andadjacent the [52 US. (:1 256/1, 256/13.1, 114/219, first line of drumscehheetet theehs eehheet together 104/254 either adjacent drums in thefirst line of drums and in 51 Int. Cl E04h 17/00 the seeehd line Otdtumet edleeeht drums hhe 58 Field of Search 256/1, 13.1 of the first ofChums and the eeeehd of drums- The first line of drums and the secondline of drums 5 References Cited are csolnrcriected at one lend to thelrigid roadside; (obstac e. i means are etween t e 1rst inc 0 rums UNITEDSTTES PATENTS and the highway and the second line of drums and the921,369 5/1909 Davis 151/21 R highway to permit the other end of thefirst line of l $122 drums and the second line of drums to move on im-2:088:087 7 1937 HUdSOH IIIIIIZ 11:11:11.. 256/1 P between a and themodular Crash cush' 2,750,990 6/1956 Eves 297/248 2,963,275 12/ Meyers256/70 The connector means is also a part of this invention. 3,050,8028/1962 lmparato... 24/81 E 3,643,924 2/1972 Fitch 256/1 Claims, 33Drawing Figures TRAFFIC FLOW i /I4 59 59 96 /6 I60 I 22 20 24 26 60 I092 76 22 7 95 5 a 20L ooooooo 00000000000 OQOQOQOQOQOQOQOOOGO T 96 me729 72 [8b 20 60 7'5 76 92 59 7s 96 76 TRAFFIC FLOW 06 I02 PATENTEDunv51m SHEET 02 0F 10 FIG. 4.

PATENTEUNUV 5 I974 SHEET 07 0F 10 m1 QFK ATENTEDNnv 5 I914 sum as nr 10N969 mm 93m uDEEE mm mm mw aw mm MODULAR CRASH CUSHION This applicationis a continuation-in-part of US. Pat. Application Ser. No. 364,192 filedMay 25, I973 by the subject inventors and assigned to the same assigneeas the subject application, which US. Application Ser. No. 364,192, nowabandoned, is a continuation of US. Patent Application Ser. No. 203,805,now abandoned, filed on Dec. 1, 1971 by the subject inventorsandassigned to the same assignee as the subject application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is the generalobject of this invention to avoid and overcome-the foregoing and otherdifficulties 'of and objections to prior art practices by the provisionof a modular crash cushion for a rigid roadside obstacle located besidea highway or freeway, which modular crash cushion:

. a. uniformly cushions the impact forces created by vehicles whichwould otherwise collide with the rigid obstacle;

b. saves the lives of and decreases injuries to occupants in suchcolliding vehicles;

. c. minimizes property damage to such colliding vehicles;

d. is free to slide along the surface upon impact with such vehicles;

e. is practical, economical, and aesthetically pleasing in appearance;

f. causes the vehicle to slide off the modular crash cushion to preventpocketing of the vehicle in such modular crashcushion; and

g. in cases of impact with the cushion normal to the outer surface ofthe cushion will decelerate the vehicle.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Thev aforesaid objects of this inventionand other objects which will become apparent as the description proceedsare achieved by providing a modular crash cushion for a rigid roadsideobstacle located on or beside the highway and having a contact surfacefacing the vehicular traffic. The modular crash cushion has a first lineof drums extending forward from one side of the contact surface and asecond line of drums extending forward from the other side of thecontact surface and adjacent the first line of drums. Connector meansconnect together either adjacent drums in the first line of drums and inthe second line of drums or adjacent drums in one line of the first lineof drums and the second line of drums. The first line of drums and thesecond line of drums are connected at one end to the rigid roadsideobstacle. Skid means are between the first line of drums and thehighwayand the second line of drums and the highway .topermit the other end ofthe first line of drums and the second line of drums to move on impactbetween a vehicle and the modular crash cushion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS For a betterunderstanding of this invention, reference should be had to theaccompanying drawings wherein like numerals of reference indicatesimilar parts throughout the several views and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a cement pier of a bridge as the rigidroadside obstacle and further showing a modular crash cushion having afirst line of drums and a second line of drums extending forward incontiguous engagement from the contact surface of the pier, a warningnose portion of the modular crash cushion, the connecting means foradjacent drums, fish scales along the sides of the modular crashcushion, and Z- chairs and I-beams affixed to selected drums in thefirst line of drums and the second line of drums for use as skid meansfor the modular crash cushion;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the cement bridge pier andmodular-crash cushion shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of one form of theconnector means for connecting two adjacent drums and showing the bottomof the adjacent drum chimes resting in spaced relation on an annularshoulder on the block of the connector means, the saddle of theconnector means secured about theoutside of such chimes and fasteningmeans extending through the block and the saddle for securing theadjacent chimes within the connector means;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the details for securing a drumfrom one line of the first line of drums and the second line of drums toa backup plate on the front portion of the cement bridge pier;

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the warning nose portion of themodular crash cushion which nose portion is shown in its projected orflat form and is provided with warning indicia visible at a greatdistance from the modular crash cushion;

FIG. 6A is a side elevational. view of the painted sheet metal employedas an outside surface on a typical fish scale for the modular crashcushion;

FIG. 6B is a rear view of the assembled fish scale showing the plywoodsheet with the painted-sheet metal affixed to the outer face of theplywood sheet;

FIG. 6C is a side elevational view of a typical plywood panel employedas a fish scale for the modular crash cushion;

FIG. 7A is a fragmentary vertical sectional view showing the bottomchimes of two adjacent drums secured in an alternate form of theconnector means, wherein the bottom chimes are secured between the outertapered surface of the block and the inner surface of the saddle andshowing a Z-chair secured to the bottom of the saddle by the fastenermeans and extending between the fastener means and the highway pavementas one form of the skid means utilized in the modular crash cushion;

FIG. 7B is a side elevational view of two drums, and I-beam secured toeach drum and projecting beyond its bottom and provided with a skidplate, the cables secured between the fish scales and the outer surfaceof each drum and separated by a projection formed in the drum body;

FIG. 7C is a horizontal sectional view of the means utilized to attach alead fish scale and the cables to an I-beam secured to a drum takenalong the line 7C7C of FIG. 7B in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 7D is a view similar to FIG. 7C showing the attachment ofintermediate and final fish scales to the I- beam secured to a drumtaken along the line 7D--7D of FIG. 7B in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 8A is a fragmentary side elevational view of the end portion of oneof the cables adjacent a guard rail and showing the cable wrapped arounda wire rope thimble with its free end secured to the main portion of thecable by a plurality of, for example, three wire rope clips taken alongthe line 8A-8A of FIG. in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 8B is an enlarged side elevational view of one of the wire clips;

FIG. 8C is a side elevational view taken along the line 8C8C of FIG. 8Bin the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. I of an alternative embodiment of themodular crash cushion showing a round bridge pier protected by anotherform of the modular crash cushion having four lines of drums and the useof outer tapered side portions along the first line of drums and secondline of drums (which defined a drum cavity) thereby requiring the use ofspacer means to connect the lines of drums adjacent the tapered portionsof the modular crash cushion, eliminating the use of the fish scales andshowing a guard rail surrounding the round bridge column embedded in theplural lines of drums to prevent impalement of a vehicle on the ends ofsuch guard rail;

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 2 of the alternative embodiment of themodular crash cushion shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11A is a side elevational view partially in vertical sectionshowing the spacer means employed for connecting two adjacent drums inthe drum cavity and utilizing a tube as a mounting member;

FIG. 11B is a side elevational view of the tube of the spacer means;

FIG. IIC is a side elevational view of the channel of the spacer means;

FIG. lID is an end elevational view taken along the lines IlD-IID ofFIG. IIC in the direction of the arrows of the channel of the spacermeans;

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIGS. 1 and 9 and showing a concreteabutment protected by another alternative embodiment of the modularcrash cushion having five lines of drums and generally tapered sideportions, fish scales, and the use of the spacing means due to thetapered construction of the modular crash cushion;

FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of the alternative embodiment of themodular crash cushion shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a plan view of another alternative embodiment of the modularcrash cushion having three lines of drums for surrounding a pier of abridge and showing the elimination of the fish scales, the embedding ofthe end portions of the guard rail in the lines of drums in the modularcrash cushion and the use of tapered end portions on the free or outerend of the modular crash cushion thereby necessitating the use of thespacing means;

FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of the alternative embodiment of themodular crash cushion shown in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a plan view of another alternative embodiment of the modularcrash cushion having three lines of drums for protecting a toll booth,eliminating the use of fish scales, employing a tapered outer portion onthe modular crash cushion and showing the attendant spacing meansemployed in the outer portions of the modular crash cushion;

FIG. 17 is a side elevational view of the toll booth and modular crashcushion shown in FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a plan view of yet another embodiment of the modular crashcushion having four lines of drums, employed to protect the supportcolumns for a sign on the highway and showing the cement base forsupporting the sign leg, the interior cable arrangement disposed aboutan internal grouping of the drums and extending forward through the noseportion to the stirrup anchored in the highway foundation or concrete;

FIG. 19 is a side elevational view of the sign legs and modular crashcushion shown in FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 3, of anotheralternative embodiment of the connector means showing an upwardlytapered shoulder on the block, a fully threaded hole through the blockand tapered guide portions on the extremities of the saddle;

FIG. 21 is a view similar to FIG. 11A of an alternative embodiment ofthe spacer means wherein the mounting member is a channel;

FIG. 22 is a side view of the spacer means shown in FIG. 21; and

FIG. 23 is an end view of the spacer means shown in FIG. 22 and takenfrom the right side of FIG. 22.

Although the principles of this invention are broadly applicable tomodular crash cushions, this invention is particularly adapted for usein conjunction with modular crash cushions for a rigid roadside obstaclelocated either beside or on a highway and hence it has been soillustrated and will be so described.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION With specific reference to the form of thisinvention illustrated in the drawings and referring particularly toFIGS. 1 and 2, a modular crash cushion is indicated generally by thereference numeral 10.

This modular crash cushion 10 is used in conjunction with a rigidroadside obstacle, such as a cement bridge pier 12 for a bridge 14(FIG. 1) or the like, which cement bridge pier I2 has a contact surface16 facing the vehicular traffic and including its front portion 16a andside portions 16b.

The modular crash cushion 10 has a first line 18a of drums 20 extendingforward from one side (in this case, the right side as you face thecement bridge pier 12 in FIG. 1) of the front portion 16a of contactsurface 16. A second line 18b of the drums 20 extends forward from theother side (in this case, the left hand side as you face the frontportion of the contact surface 16 for the cement bridge pier l2) andadjacent the first line 18a of the drums 20.

Connector means 22 (FIGS. 1, 3) are employed for connecting togethereither adjacent drums 20 in the first line 18a of the drums 20 and inthe second line 18b of the drums 20 or adjacent drums 20 in either line18a, 18b. As shown in FIG. I, each of the adjacent drums 20 ConnectorMeans 22 The connector means 22 has a block 28 (FIG. 3) provided with acentrally located clearance hole 30 and an angular shoulder 32 adaptedto receive the bottom pr tions of the spaced chimes 34 formed by the endportions of the drum head 24 and a drum body 36 of the adjacent drums20. For the purpose of securing the Backup Plate Mounting The meansutilized to mount the left hand drum 20 in the first'line 18a of thedrums 20 and in the second line 18b of the drums 20 to a backup plate 46(FIG. 4) on the front portion 16a of the contact surface 16 of thecement bridge pier 12 comprises, as shown in FIG. 4, a pair of angles 48projecting from the top and bottom of the backup plate 46 and secured tothe top and bottom ofthe backup plate 46 as by welding (not shown) or asby bolts 50 or the like. In order to permit an L-shaped attachment rod52 (FIG. 4) to pass through the angles 48 and the adjacent drum 20 positioned between the angles 48, suitable holes 54 are provided in theangles 48 and in the drum heads 24 of the drum 20.-

I Nose Portion 56 As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5, a warning nose portion56 shown in flat projected form in FIG. is provided with paintedreflectorized warning indicia 58 and is built around a leading drum L(FIG. 1) on the right hand end as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the modularcrash cushion 10, around the next two adjacent drums Fish Scales 60 Forthe purpose of diverting a vehicle upon impact with the modular crashcushion l0, and of preventing pocketing of the vehicle (not shown) inone side of one line 18a or 18b of the drums 20, and of preventing theresultant spinning around of the vehicle (not shown) after suchpocketing, sheet-like fish scales 60 (FIGS. 1, 2, 6A-6C) extend alongthe side portions of the first line 18a of drums 20 and the second line18b of the drums 20. Each fish scale 60 has a plywood sheet 62 (FIGS.68, 6C) provided on the left-hand end (as viewed in FIGS. 6B, 6C) with achamfer 64, and a painted metal sheet 66 (FIGS. 6A, 6C) formed withcorner tab portions 68 and bendable peripheral marginal portions 70. Asshown in FIG. 6B, the tabs 68 and the marginal portions 70 of thepainted metal sheet 66 are formed around the back of the plywood sheet62 to form the completed fish scale shown in FIG. 6B. The method ofattaching the fish scales 60 to the first line 18a of drums 20 and thesecond line 18b of the drums 20 is shown in FIGS. 7B-7D and will bedescribed in detail hereinafter.

' Skid Means 72 In order to provide a skid means 72 (FIGS. 1, 2, 7A)between the first line 18a of the drums 20 and the highway pavement 74and the second line 18b of the drums 20 and the highway pavement 74 sothat the free or right hand end as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the lines18a, 18b of drums 20 may move when impacted by a vehicle (not shown), aZ-chair 76 (FIGS. 1, 2, 7A) and l-beams 78 (FIGS. 1, 2, 7B-7D) areemployed.

As shown in FIG. 7A, a connector means 22" is employed to secureadjacent chimes 34 of adjacent drums 20 between the tapered sides of theblock 28 and the saddle 38. The fastener means, such as a bolt 40 or thelike, extends through a hole 80 (FIG. 7A) in the top of the Z-chair 76,the hole 44 in the saddle 38 and holes 30 in the block 28. It will beunderstood that the nut 42 shown in FIG. 3 is eliminated since thethreaded bolt 40 engages threads 82 in the upper-most holes 30 in thetop of the block 28 As shown in FIG. 7A, the bottom arm 84 of theZ-chair 76 engages the pavement 74.

Alternatively, the l-bcam 78 shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 7B-7D is mountedtangentially to the inner periphery of a drum 20 and has its bottomportions extending beyond the bottom of the drum 20 to elevate the drum20 from the highway surface 74 (FIG. 7B). The bottom portion of thel-beam 78 is provided with a skid plate 86 (FIG. 7B) which rests on thehighway pavement 74 and has arcuate outer portions.

Fish Scale Mounting As shown in FIGS. 78-70, a lead fish scale panel 60may be secured by bolts 88 and nuts 90, which bolts 88 extend throughthe drum body 36 and a flange of the I-beam 78. As shown particularly inFIG. 7B,,an intermediate fish scale 60 may be similarly secured by thebolts 88 and nuts 90 and may be covered by a final fish scale 60. I

It will be noted from a consideration of FIGS. 7B-7D that a pair of wirecables 92 are disposed about a protuberance 94 (FIG. 78) formed in thedrum body36 and are secured between fish scales 60 and drum body 36.

These cables 92 hold the modular crash cushionl0 Cables 92 As shown inFIGS. 1, 2, 8A-8C, a pair of wire cables 92 and anchored at both ends,as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2, in a stirrup 96 (FIGS. 1, 2) which stirrup96 is suitably secured in concrete 98 (FIG. 2) or the like. Each of thecables 92, in addition to its securement to the I- beams 78 (FIGS.7B-7D) is secured to the stirrup 96 in a manner similar to that shown inFIGS. 8A-8C where such cable 92 is secured to a guard rail 148. Thecable 92 as described above, is provided at its end portion with a loop100 (FIG. 8A) formed about a wire rope thimble I02 and has its free end104 secured by wire rope'clips 106 (FIGS. 8A-8C to the main portion ofthe wire cable 92. As shown in FIGS. 88 and 8C, the wire clips 106 havea threaded U-portion 108 and a clamp portion 110, which clamp portion110 is secured on the threaded legs of the U-portion 108 in grippingengagement with the wire cable 92 by means of nuts 112 threadable on thethreaded legs of the U-portion 108. The thimble 102 prevents the cable92 from being pulled out of the wire clips 106 when the modular crashcushion is hit by a vehicle (not shown).

ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS It will be understood by those skilled in theart that alternatively, as shown in the modular crash cushion 10 ofFIGS. 9, 10, the right-hand portion as viewed in FIGS. 9 and 10 of thefirst line 18a and the second line 18b of the drums may taper forwardlytoward the leading drum 20L. The intermediate lines 18c, 18d fill a drumcavity 114 (FIG. 9) defined by the first line 18a and the second line18b of the drum 20, along the straight portions of the first line 18aand second line 18b. However, along the tapered portion of the firstline 18a and second line 18b where whole drums 20 cannot be inserted inthe drum cavity 114 in substantially abutting engagement, spacing means116 (FIGS. 9, 10, 11A-11D) are employed as connecting means to connectadjacent whole spaced drums 20.

Spacing Means 126 This spacing means 116 (FIGS. 9, 10, 11A-11D) has achannel 118 which is slidably mountable in a mounting member, such as atube 120 (FIGS. 11A-11D) or the like. The channel 118 has a connectingportion 122 provided with registering holes 124 which holes 124 permitthe insertion of a bolt 126 through such holes 124 and a similar hole124 in the drum head 24 of a drum 20 so that a nut 128 may secure theconnection portion 122 to the left-hand drum 20, as viewed in FIG. 11A,with the chime 34 of the drum 20 secured between the flanges of theconnecting portin 122 of the channel 118. This channel 118, as shown inFIGS. 11A, 11C, and 11D. is provided with a track 130 in which a nut 132(provided with a track groove 134) rides. The

means utilized to bias the nut 132 against the track 130 is a spring 136or the like. In order to prevent the nut 132 from leaving the right-handend of the channel 118, one or more stop tabs 138 (FIGS. 11C, 11D) areformed in the end wall of the channel 118.

The tube 120, suitably a box-like structure provided with a plurality ofspaced holes 140 in all four sides thereof has a similar connectingportion 142 which enables a bolt 126 to pass through suitable holes 144in the connecting portion 142 of the tube 120 and a hole 144 in the drumhead 24 of the right-hand drum 20, as viewed in FIG. 11A, so that a nut128 may secure the tube 120 to the right-hand drum 20 as viewed in FIG.1 1A.

In order to anchor the channel 118 (affixed to the left-hand drum 20, asviewed in FIG. 11A) with respect to the tube 120 (affixed to theright-hand drum 20, as viewed in FIG. 11A). a bolt 146 is inserted inone of the spaced holes 140 in the tube 120 and the nut 132 in thechannel 118 thereby locking the drums 20 (FIG. 11A) in the desiredspaced relation with respect to each other in the modular crash cushion10 As shown in FIG. 9, the modular crash cushion 10 has two guard rails148. each being a W-type vertically sectioned plate (FIGS. 9 and 10).and extending along the straight portions of the first line 18a of thedrums 20 and the second line 18b of the drums 20 to a point 152 wheresuch guard rail or plate 148 turns inwardly and passes through suitableholes 154 in the drums 20 so that the end portion 156 of each guard rail148 is secured at 158, as by bolts, screws, or the like (not shown) to adrum 20 in line 180, thereby preventing impalement of a vehicle (notshown) on the end portions 156 of the guard rails 148.

It will be noted from FIGS. 9 and 10 that the fish scales 60 shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 have been eliminated and the nose section 56 extends alongthe forward tapered portion of the cushion 10.

FIGS. 12 and 13 show a concrete abutment 12 as the rigid roadsideobstacle. In FIGS. 12 and 13, the first line 18a of drums 20 and thesecond line 18b of drums 20 taper continuously along their length andterminate in the leading drum 20L. Fish scales 60 are employed in thisconstruction and spacing means 116 are used extensively between the fivelines 18a 18b", 18c, 18d, and 18a of drums 20.

The rigid roadside obstacle shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 and protected bythe cushion 10" is a pier 12 for a bridge 14. The modular crash cushion10" is substantially three lines 18a, 18b, and 18c of the drums 20. Theguard rail 148 along the side of traffic flow indicated by the arrow hasits end portion 156 embedded in the lines 18b and 180 of the drums'20.The fish scales 60 are eliminated and the spacing means 116 are employedin the tapered forward portions of the lines 18a, 18b of the drums 20.

In FIGS. 16 and 17, a toll booth 12 is employed with the modular crashcushion 10 having along its straight portions three lines 18a, 18b', and18c of the drums 20. In this embodiment, the front contact portion 160of the toll booth 12 is connected to the adjacent drums 20 by theconstruction and the attachmentrods 52 and backup plate 46 shown in FIG.4, but not shown in detail in FIG. 16. The fish scales 60 are notemployed, but the spacing means 116 is utilized in the tapered forwardportions of the first line -18a the second line 1812', adjacent theleading drum 20L.

In FIGS. 18 and 19, the rigid roadside obstacle (i.e., a sign post, notshown in FIGS. 18, 19) is protected by cushion 10 and comprises a pairof legs for the sign post. The legs 170 extend upwardly from concretepiers 174 (FIGS. 18, 19) and the right hand leg 170 (FIGS. 18, 19) issurrounded by drums 20 of the third line 18c and the fourth line 18d ofthe drums 20. The generally S-shaped configuration of the first line ofthe drums and the second line 18b of the drums 20 is employed. Internal,rather than external, cables 92 are utilized in FIGS. 18, 19. Each suchcable 92 extends around the right hand leg 170 for the sign post (notshown) and selected drums 20 of the third line 180 and 18d and thenextends forwardly from a double line of six drums 20 in lines 18c, 18d,around two drurns 20 of a middle line 180 and thence adjacent theforward portions of the crash modular cushion 10" between the remainingthree drums 20 of the first line 1811" and 18b' to the anchorage stirrup96 upstanding from a concrete pier 98. In FIGS. 18 and 19, the fishscales 60 of prior embodiments are replaced by a sheet metal covering178 secured to the adjacent drums 20 as by screws 182.

FIG. 20, which is a view similar to FIG. 3 of an alternative embodimentof the connector means 22 employs V-shaped shoulders 32 to engage thebottom portions of the chimes 34. The annular central hole 30 in theblock 28 is fully threaded throughout its length. The saddle 38 isprovided with generally square top corner portions and has a generallyrounded bottom guide portion 186 on its lower extremities to permit theguided disposition of the saddle 38 about the outer portions of thechimes 34.

The drums 20 may be formed of galvanized steel, aluminized steel, highstrength steel, or the like, or of a plastic, such as high densitypolyethylene, fiberglass, fiber board or the like. In addition, theenergy absorbing properties of the modules 10, etc. may be improved byfilling the interior of each drum 20 with smaller containers, such asplastic bottles, metal cans or the like; ping-pong balls, foamedplastics, such as polyurethane, polyethylene, or the like, and if theholes 26 in the drum 20 are covered'by plugs, by a fluid such as saltwater, anti-freeze solution, chopped rubber tires, or the like.

- In FIGS. 2l23, the mounting member or tube 120 of spacer means I16 ofFIGS. llA-IlD is replaced by a mounting member 120 (in the form of achannel) of spacer means 111.6

I SUMMARY OF THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It will berecognized by those skilled in the art that the objects of thisinvention have been achieved by providing an improved modular crashcushion 10 (FIGS. l-8C), 10 (FIGS. 9-llD), 10 (FIGS. I2 and I3), 10(FIGS. 14 and l5), (FIGS. 16 and 17), and 110 (FIGS. 18 and 19). Thesemodular crash cushions are employed adjacent a rigid roadside obstacle,such as a cement bridge pier l2 ofa bridge 14 (FIGS. l-SA), around'bridge column 12 for a bridge 14 (FIGS. 9 and 1'0),'a concreteabutment 12 (FIGS. 12 and 13), a round concrete pier l2 for a bridge l4(FIGS. 14 and 15), a toll booth 12" (FIGS. 16 and 17), and legs 170 fora roadside sign (not shown), FIGS. 18 and 19. These modular crashcushions easily and uniformly cushion the impact forces created by avehicle (not shown) which may collide with such rigid roadsideobstacles; save the lives of and decrease injuries to occupants in suchcolliding vehicle (not shown); minimize property damage to the collidingvehicle (not shown); are free to slide along the highway pavement uponimpact by the vehicle (not shown) and cause the vehicle (not shown) toslide off the modular crash cushion to prevent pocketing of a vehicle(not shown) in the modular crash cushion and in cases of impact withsuch cushion substantially normal to the outer surface of the module todecelerate the vehicle (not shown).

While in accordance with the patent statutes, preferred and alternativeembodiments of this invention have been illustrated and described indetail, it is to be particularly understood that the invention is notlimited thereto or thereby.

We claim:

1. For a rigid roadside obstacle located beside or on a highway andhaving a contact surface facing the vehicular traffic, a modular crashcushion having:

a. a first line of drums extending forward from one side of said contactsurface;

b. a second line of drums extending forward from the other side of saidcontact surface and adjacent said first line of drums;

c. spacer means for connecting together adjacent drums in said firstline of drums and in said second line of drums in spaced relation;

d. said first line of drums and said second line of drums beingconnected at one end to said rigid roadside obstacle;

e. skid means between said first line of drums and said highway and saidsecond line of drums and said highway to permit the other end of saidfirst line of drums and said second line of drums to move on impact witha vehicle; and

f. a pair of adjacent drums in one line of said first line of drums andsaid second line of drums each having a drum body and a drum head and achime defined by the ends of said drum body and said drum head and saidspacer means has:

l. a mounting member connected to one drum of said first drum and saidsecond drum;

2. a channel slidable in said mounting member,

projecting from said mounting member and connected at its projecting endto the other drum of said first drum and said second drum; and

3. fastener means for securing said channel to said mounting member;

4. said channel having a track, a nut disposed in said track, biasingmeans engaging said nut to maintain said nut in said track, and saidfastener means extending through said mounting member into said nut.

2. The modular crash cushion recited in claim 1 wherein one of saiddrums has a drum head, said drum head being provided with a hole tofacilitate the uniform cushioning collapse of said drum on impactbetween said vehicle and said modular crash cushion.

3. The modular crash cushion recited in claim I and having a sheet-likenose portion extending around said other end of said first line of drumsand said second line of drums to warn a driver of a vehicle of thepresence of the rigid roadside obstacle.

4. The modular crash cushion recited in claim 1 and having sheet-likefish scales extending along the side portions of one line of said firstline of drums and said second line of drums to divert said vehicle uponimpact with said modular crash cushion and to prevent pocketing of saidvehicle in said one line and the resultant spinning around of saidvehicle after said pocketing.

5. The modular crash cushion recited in claim 1 wherein another pair ofadjacent drums in one line of said first line of drums and said secondline of drums each have their bottom portions secured together by aconnector means and a Z-chair is connected to said connector means anddisposed between said connector means and said highway.

6. The modular crash cushion recited in claim 1 wherein said skid meanshas a beam secured to a drum in one line of said first line of drums andsaid second line of drums, said beam extending beyond the bottom of saiddrum to elevate said drum from said highway, and said beam having a skidmember on the bottom of said beam and in engagement with said highway.

7. The modular crash cushion recited in claim 1 and having a cablefastened to one line of said first line of drums and said second line ofdrums to integrate said modular crash cushion and to hold it together,said cable being anchored to said highway at one end of said one line toanchor said other end of modular crash cushion in a predeterminedposition with respect to said rigid roadside obstacle.

8. The modular crash cushion recited in claim 1 and having a guard railextending from said rigid roadside obstacle along a portion of one lineof said first line of drums and said second line of drums, said guardrail having its forward end buried behind said one line.

9. The modular crash cushion recited in claim 1 and having connectormeans for connecting together another pair of adjacent drums in saidfirst line of drums and in said second line of drums, said connectormeans having:

a. a block adapted to receive one end of said adjacent chimes in spacedrelation;

b. a saddle adapted to engage the outside of said adjacent chimes; and

c. fastener means extending through said block and said saddle betweensaid adjacent chimes for securing said chimes in said connector means.

10. The connector means recited in claim 9 wherein said block isprovided with a shoulder for receiving the bottom of said chimes.

11. The connector means recited in claim 9 wherein said fastener meansis a bolt and a nut.

12. The connector means recited in claim 9 wherein said fastener meansis a threaded member threaded into said block.

13. The connector means recited in claim 9 wherein said block isprovided with a V-shaped shoulder for receiving one end of said chimes.

14. The connector means recited in claim 9 wherein said block is aresilient hollow sheet metal member.

15. For a modular crash cushion having a first drum and a second drumdisposed in spaced relation with respect to each other, each of saiddrums having a drum body and a drum head and a chime defined by the endsof said drum body and said drum head, spacer means having:

a. a mounting member connected to one drum of said first drum and saidsecond drum;

b. a channel slidable in said mounting member, projecting from saidmounting member and connected at its projecting end to the other drum ofsaid first drum and said second drum;

c. fastener means for securing said channel to said mounting member; and

d. said channel having a track, a nut disposed in said track, biasingmeans engaging said nut to maintain said nut in said track, and saidfastener means extends through said mounting member into said nut.

16. The spacer means recited in claim 15 wherein said channel has stopmeans on the end of said channel to prevent said nut from leaving saidchannel.

17. The modular crash cushion recited in claim 1 wherein said mountingmember is a tube.

18. The modular crash cushion recited in claim 1 wherein said mountingmember is a channel.

19. The spacer means recited in claim 15 wherein said mounting member isa tube.

20. The spacer means recited in claim 15 wherein said mounting member isa channel.

1. For a rigid roadside obstacle located beside or on a highway andhaving a contact surface facing the vehicular traffic, a modular crashcushion having: a. a first line of drums extending forward from one sideof said contact surface; b. a second line of drums extending forwardfrom the other side of said contact surface and adjacent said first lineof drums; c. spacer means for connecting together adjacent drums in saidfirst line of drums and in said second line of drumS in spaced relation;d. said first line of drums and said second line of drums beingconnected at one end to said rigid roadside obstacle; e. skid meansbetween said first line of drums and said highway and said second lineof drums and said highway to permit the other end of said first line ofdrums and said second line of drums to move on impact with a vehicle;and f. a pair of adjacent drums in one line of said first line of drumsand said second line of drums each having a drum body and a drum headand a chime defined by the ends of said drum body and said drum head andsaid spacer means has:
 1. a mounting member connected to one drum ofsaid first drum and said second drum;
 2. a channel slidable in saidmounting member, projecting from said mounting member and connected atits projecting end to the other drum of said first drum and said seconddrum; and
 3. fastener means for securing said channel to said mountingmember;
 4. said channel having a track, a nut disposed in said track,biasing means engaging said nut to maintain said nut in said track, andsaid fastener means extending through said mounting member into saidnut.
 2. The modular crash cushion recited in claim 1 wherein one of saiddrums has a drum head, said drum head being provided with a hole tofacilitate the uniform cushioning collapse of said drum on impactbetween said vehicle and said modular crash cushion.
 2. a channelslidable in said mounting member, projecting from said mounting memberand connected at its projecting end to the other drum of said first drumand said second drum; and
 3. fastener means for securing said channel tosaid mounting member;
 3. The modular crash cushion recited in claim 1and having a sheet-like nose portion extending around said other end ofsaid first line of drums and said second line of drums to warn a driverof a vehicle of the presence of the rigid roadside obstacle.
 4. Themodular crash cushion recited in claim 1 and having sheet-like fishscales extending along the side portions of one line of said first lineof drums and said second line of drums to divert said vehicle uponimpact with said modular crash cushion and to prevent pocketing of saidvehicle in said one line and the resultant spinning around of saidvehicle after said pocketing.
 4. said channel having a track, a nutdisposed in said track, biasing means engaging said nut to maintain saidnut in said track, and said fastener means extending through saidmounting member into said nut.
 5. The modular crash cushion recited inclaim 1 wherein another pair of adjacent drums in one line of said firstline of drums and said second line of drums each have their bottomportions secured together by a connector means and a Z-chair isconnected to said connector means and disposed between said connectormeans and said highway.
 6. The modular crash cushion recited in claim 1wherein said skid means has a beam secured to a drum in one line of saidfirst line of drums and said second line of drums, said beam extendingbeyond the bottom of said drum to elevate said drum from said highway,and said beam having a skid member on the bottom of said beam and inengagement with said highway.
 7. The modular crash cushion recited inclaim 1 and having a cable fastened to one line of said first line ofdrums and said second line of drums to integrate said modular crashcushion and to hold it together, said cable being anchored to saidhighway at one end of said one line to anchor said other end of modularcrash cushion in a predetermined position with respect to said rigidroadside obstacle.
 8. The modular crash cushion recited in claim 1 andhaving a guard rail extending from said rigid roadside obstacle along aportion of one line of said first line of drums and said second line ofdrums, said guard rail having its forward end buried behind said oneline.
 9. The modular crash cushion recited in claim 1 and havingconnector means for connecting together another pair of adjacent drumsin said first line of drums and in said second line of drums, saidconnector means having: a. a block adapted to receive one end of saidadjacent chimes in spaced relation; b. a saddle adapted to engage theoutside of said adjacent chimes; and c. fastener means extending throughsaid block and said saddle between said adjacent chimes for securingsaid chimes in said connector means.
 10. The connecTor means recited inclaim 9 wherein said block is provided with a shoulder for receiving thebottom of said chimes.
 11. The connector means recited in claim 9wherein said fastener means is a bolt and a nut.
 12. The connector meansrecited in claim 9 wherein said fastener means is a threaded memberthreaded into said block.
 13. The connector means recited in claim 9wherein said block is provided with a V-shaped shoulder for receivingone end of said chimes.
 14. The connector means recited in claim 9wherein said block is a resilient hollow sheet metal member.
 15. For amodular crash cushion having a first drum and a second drum disposed inspaced relation with respect to each other, each of said drums having adrum body and a drum head and a chime defined by the ends of said drumbody and said drum head, spacer means having: a. a mounting memberconnected to one drum of said first drum and said second drum; b. achannel slidable in said mounting member, projecting from said mountingmember and connected at its projecting end to the other drum of saidfirst drum and said second drum; c. fastener means for securing saidchannel to said mounting member; and d. said channel having a track, anut disposed in said track, biasing means engaging said nut to maintainsaid nut in said track, and said fastener means extends through saidmounting member into said nut.
 16. The spacer means recited in claim 15wherein said channel has stop means on the end of said channel toprevent said nut from leaving said channel.
 17. The modular crashcushion recited in claim 1 wherein said mounting member is a tube. 18.The modular crash cushion recited in claim 1 wherein said mountingmember is a channel.
 19. The spacer means recited in claim 15 whereinsaid mounting member is a tube.
 20. The spacer means recited in claim 15wherein said mounting member is a channel.